Electrical connectors



March 1, 1966 E. c. CROWTHER 3,238,496

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Original Filed Sept. 21, 1959 INVEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,238,496 ELECTRICAL CONNECTGRS Edmond C. Crowther, Philadelphia, Pa.

- (Bradenton Manor, Eradenton, Fla.) Application Apr. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 188,021, new Patent No. 3,173,741, dated Mar. 16, 1965, which is a division of application Ser. No. 841,212, Sept. 21, 1959, now

Patent No. 3,068,445, dated Dec. 11, 1962. Divided and this application Jan. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 428,978

2 Claims. (Cl. 339-246) This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 188,021, filedApril 17, 1962, now Patent No. 3,173,741, dated March 16, 1965, which was a di- .vision of my application, Serial No. 841,212, filed on September 21, 1959, now Patent No. 3,068,445, dated December 11, 1962.

This invention relates to an electrical connector, More specifically, it relates to an electrical connector wherein a device of the type commonly known in the art as a bus bar is mechanically formed so that, when used in combination with other elements, it will accept lead wires or secondary conductors and removably retain same in direct contact with the material of the bus bar.

Heretofore, metallic connectors employed for electrically connecting primary conductors of current, such as bus bars, with the secondary wire conducting means have been complex in nature. Undue resistance to the passage of electrical current between the source and the end conductor is often present in such connectors. In addition, their complexity has provided inherent problems to the persons making the initial assembly, as well as those who were called upon to utilize the connector in repair work. I

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved electrical connector which may be partially formed from the basic conductor or bus bar. It is a further object of this invention to provide a connector which has improved electrical conductivity properties. Still another object of this invention is to provide an electrical connector which is simple in operation and economical to manufacture.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the specification is read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view in partial section of still another embodiment of the present invention;

invention is shown in FIG. 1 wherein similar numerals will be used to indicate similar parts with the addition of suffix a. In this embodiment the base 12a is deformed intermediate its length to form a U-shaped portion having a bottom 40 provided with a central screw threaded aperture and upwardly extending arms 42 joined to the base 12a. Extending longitudinally of each arm 42 is a slot 44 which bisects the juncture of the arms 42 with the bus bar 12a, and extends downwardly substantially to the juncture of arms 42 and bottom 40.

Extending between arms 42 and riding within slots 44 is the clamp 14a. The clamp 14a includes a dished central section 28a and a pair of laterally extending arms 46 which are of a width slightly less than the width of slots 44 so that the clamp 14a is free to ride up and down relative to the base 40 but is incapable of rotation relative thereto. Intermediate the length of each arm 46, there is provided a transversely extending rib 48. The

'screw 16a in this embodiment has a conical clamping surface for engagement with the concave side of central dished portion 28a and can be rotatably assembled to clamp 14a by any suitable means such as an annular rib or shoulder 32a.

The operation of this embodiment is accomplished by the insertion of wires 34a between the arms .46 and the bottom 49 with positive location of the wires being insured by the transverse ribs 48. This device, like the first embodiment, is capable of accepting wires of dissimilar diameters by means of limited canting between the central portion 281; of claim 14a and the conical undersurface of the head of the screw 16a.

Referring now to FIG. 2, wherein a tertiary embodiment of the invention is disclosed and wherein similar numerals are utilized to designate similar parts with the addition of the suflix b. The bus bar 12b is provided with two pairs of upstanding post-like members 50 spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of 12b on opposite sides of a centrally located screw-threaded aperture. The posts 50 can be struck from within the margins of the material of the bus bar 12b, as shown in the present instance, or may be fabricated separately and suitably secured thereto as by Welding or brazing. I

. The clamp 14b has a central conical section 28b and a pair of laterally extending relatively broad arms 46b having a transverse rib 48b. Each of the corners of the arms 46b is notched as at 52 to accommodate the post 50 for vertical movement relative thereto and prevents rotation of the clamp 14b relative to the bus bar 12b. The screw 16b is provided with the same physical characteristics as the screw in the other embodiments and is rotatably assembled to the clamp 14b so that said clamp can be jacked relative to the bus bar 12b. The wires 34b are accommodated between the transverse ribs 48b and the upper surface of the bus bar 12b so that a positive and complete contact between the basic conductor bus bar 12b and the secondary conductors 34b is assured.

A modification of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein similar parts bear similar numerals with the addition of the suflix c. The bus bar 12c, in the form shown in FIG. 3 has an upstanding flange 58 positioned at its free extremity and offset from one longitudinal edge 59 thereof. Said longitudinal edge 59 is relieved as at 60 with the upper surface of the bus bar 12c along said longitudinal edge being coined or otherwise deformed to provide a plurality of transversely extending ribs or teeth 62. In their preferred form, the

teeth 62 extend in opposition to the end of the bus bar 120 where flange 58 is located. The clamp 140 in this modification is substantially flat through its upper extent and has a depending flange 64 adapted to be accommodated in the relieved portion 60 of the bus bar 120. A spring finger 68 extends outwardly and thence downwar'dly and under the clamp 14c in a position substantially parallel to the downwardly extending flange 64 in juxtaposed relation to the teeth 62. The screw 160 is suitably rotatably assembled to the clamp 14c and is telescopically associated with a threaded aperture in the bus bar 12c, said aperture being positioned laterally of the toothed portion 62 and axially spaced from flange 58. A wire 340, shown in phantom in this figure for purposes of clarity in illustration, is accommodated in the passageway formed by the depending flange 64, the toothed surface 62, the spring finger 68 and the screw 16c. Actuation of the screw 160 results in a deformation of the spring finger 68 as it clamps the wire 340 against the ribbed or toothed portion 62.

The modification to this invention shown in FIG. 4 is substantially identical to that shown in FIG. 3 with the exception that downwardly depending flange 64 is eliminated from the clamp in this modification and an upwardly extending flange 70 is provided along the longitudinal edge of bus bar 120 forming an aperture or slot 72 between flange 58 and flange 70 which accepts and captures the outwardly extending end of the spring finger 68 thereby preventing rotation of the clamp 140 relative to the base or bus bar 12c.

A further embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS. and 6 wherein similar parts bear sirnilar numerals with the addition of the suflix d. The bus bar 12d at its free extremity is formed downwardly along its longitudinal edges to create an inverted U. The downwardly depending arms 76 in this embodiment have struck from within their margins a pair of opposed inwardly directed stops or shoulder means 78 which are transversely ribbed along their axial extent with the convex surface directed upwardly towards the bus bar 12d. Within the margins of bus bar 12d in opposition and in registry with the stops 78 are a pair of spaced unthreaded apertures 80. The depending arms 76 are slotted as at 82 where the material is removed therefrom to form the stops 78.

Extending between the depending arms 76 and accommodated within the slots 82 is an elongated spring clip device 86 having a pair of spaced threaded apertures 88 in registry with the apertures 80. Extending upwardly, as seen in the drawing, from opposite sides of device 86 are a plurality of opposed spring arms 90 having shoulder means 92 directed inwardly in opposition from each of the opposed spring arms 90. These embrace the lateral extensions of bus bar 12d and secure device 86 in movable assembled relationship to bus bar 12d. Operators or screws 16d are telescopically associated with apertures 80, and threaded apertures 88 until their free extremities are brought into contact with the upper bearing surfaces of stops 78. To insure proper lateral spacing between the wires 34d, the central portion of device 86 is arched as at 96. Operation of the screw 16d results in a vertical movement of the device 86 towards the bus bar 12d until the wires 34d are securely clamped between the device 86 and the undersurface of bus bar 12d. To insure adequate clamping of the wires 34d, regardless of diameter, the hubs around aperture 88 are of such external size as to be smaller than the unthreaded aperture 88 and acceptable therewithin whereby even the smallest of wires can be clamped between device 86 and the undersurface of bus bar 12d.

A further modification of the invention for the acceptance of a single wire is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The difference between the two forms illustrated being that one is adapted to accept the wire from the end of the bus bar and the other is adapted to accept the wire trans- 4;- versely to the longitudinal axis of the bus bar. In this embodiment similar numerals shall be used for similar parts with the addition of the suffix e. The transverse form shown in FIG. 7 includes a bus bar 122 having a pair of spaced apart upwardly directed flanges and 102 respectively which form a slot 104 between the flanges. A third upwardly directed flange 106 is positioned along an adjacent longitudinal edge of bus bar He in spaced relation to the free end which accommodates flanges 100 and 102. A screw threaded aperture is provided in bus bar 12:; adjacent to but spaced from flange 102 for the telescopic rotary acceptance of the screw threaded fastener 16c.

Rotatably assembled to screw 162 in the same fashion as the previous embodiments is the clamp means 146. Clamp 14a is substantially flat and has at least one straight edge 108 for cooperative engagement with a complementary flange such as 102. Extending outwardly from and in the same direction as the straight edge 108 is a transversely arched extension 110. A second finger or extension 112 is positioned intermediate the extremities of straight edge 108 and extension 110 and is adapted to be accepted in slot 104. Thus, in assembled relation, the clamp means 14a as rotatably assembled to screw 16c presents a complementary straight edge 108 against the inner surface of flange 102, extension 112 projects into slot 104 and transversely arched extension 110 lies along the edge of flange 100 and extends into slot 114 between flanges 100 and 106. The introduction of a wire 341:, shown in phantom for purposes of clarity in illustration, between the flanges 100 and 106 respectively and under arched extension 10 and on top of bus bar 122 results in a firm contact of said wire 34e with the upper surface of 122 when the screw 16c is tightened downwardly.

The modification or rotation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is clearly disclosed in FIG. 8 wherein similar numerals are utilized to identify similar parts with the addition of the suffix f. The operation and arrangement of parts in this modification are substantially identical to those shown in FIG. 7 with the exception that the wire is introduced along the longitudinal axis of the bus bar 12f as opposed to the transverse introduction shown in FIG. 7.

The embodiments of this invention have disclosed devices which retain simplicity of operation since the clamp means can be jacked away from the bus bar by mere rotation of the operator or screw whereby the personnel installing the wires do not have to physically manipulate these connectors in any fashion other than by rotation of the screw. The devices are economical to manufacture since they can be made from stamped parts and are ideally suited for use in close, tight quarters.

While modifications or embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not intended that it should be limited in any fashion except by the appended claims.

1. An electrical connector including a bus bar having a threaded aperture and upstanding portions on each side of said aperture, a rotary screw threaded fastener engageable by said threaded aperture, clamping means rotatably assembled with said fastener and having a conical central portion with aperture and a pair of arms extending laterally from said apertured central portion, the terminal portions of said pair of arms being received by said upstanding portions of said bus bar to prevent relative rotation therebetween, the intermediate portions of said pair of arms adapted to substantially conform to the upper surfaces of wire conductors for preventing lateral shifting of said wire conductors interposed between said clamping means and said bus bar.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1 in which the upstanding portions of said bus bar constitute the arms of a U-shaped section in said bus bar.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 FOREIGN PATENTS 9/ 1951 Germany.

Johnson 339-249 220,315 11/1942 Switzerland. Kruse 339-246 X Zilliox 339-246 X 5 JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

Nero 339-266 Goetzelman 339 266 ALBERT H. KAMPE, Examzner. Martin .339266 R. E. MOORE, Assistant Examiner. Hamm et a1 339-266 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INCLUDING A BUS BAR HAVING A THREADED APERTURE AND UPSTANDING PORTIONS ON EACH SIDE OF SAID APERTURE, A ROTARY SCREW THREADED FASTENER ENGAGEABLE BY SAID THREADED APERTURE, CLAMPING MEANS ROTATABLY ASSEMBLED WITH SAID FASTENER AND HAVING A CONICAL CENTRAL PORTION WITH APERTURE AND A PAIR OF ARMS EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID APERTURED CENTRAL PORTION, THE TERMINAL PORTIONS OF SAID PAIR OF ARMS BEING RECEIVED BY SAID UPSTANDING PORTIONS OF SAID BUS BAR TO PREVENT RELATIVE ROTATION THEREBETWEEN, THE INTERMEDIATE PORTIONS OF SAID PAIR OF ARMS ADAPTED TO SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORM TO THE UPPER SURFACES OF WIRE CONDUCTORS FOR PREVENTING LATERAL SHIFTING OF SAID WIRE CONDUCTORS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID CLAMPING MEANS AND SAID BUS BAR. 